Surgical stapling device with dissecting tip

Abstract

A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surgical stapling device comprising:
 an elongated body portion; 
 an end effector including an anvil assembly movably supported in relation to a cartridge assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples supported therein; 
 a dissecting tip extending distally from a distal end of the cartridge assembly and towards the anvil assembly in the distal direction, the dissecting tip having a blunt distal end configured to separate target tissue from certain tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dissecting tip includes smoothly curved inner and outer surfaces. 
     
     
       3. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the dissecting tip extends distally beyond the distal end of the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       4. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 3 , wherein the curved inner surface is formed by plural curved radii. 
     
     
       5. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 4 , wherein the width of the dissecting tip decreases from the proximal end of the dissecting tip to the distal end of the dissecting tip. 
     
     
       6. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 5 , wherein the dissecting tip is monolithically formed with the cartridge assembly. 
     
     
       7. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 5 , wherein the dissecting tip is secured to the cartridge assembly using a mechanical fastening technique. 
     
     
       8. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the curved inner surface of the dissecting tip is contiguous with an inner tissue contact surface of the cartridge assembly. 
     
     
       9. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dissecting tip does not extend below a plane defined by an outer surface of the anvil assembly. 
     
     
       10. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the anvil assembly includes a tissue contacting surface and an outer surface opposite the tissue contacting surface, the dissecting tip terminating between a plane defined by the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and a plane defined by the outer surface of the anvil assembly when the end effector is in the clamped position. 
     
     
       11. A surgical stapling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body portion, the end effector and the dissecting tip are configured to be received through an access port. 
     
     
       12. A surgical stapling device comprising:
 an elongated body portion; 
 an end effector including an anvil assembly movably supported in relation to a cartridge assembly between an open position and a clamped position, the anvil assembly including a tissue contacting surface and an outer surface opposite the tissue contacting surface; 
 a dissecting tip extending distally from a distal end of the cartridge assembly and towards the anvil assembly in the distal direction, wherein the dissecting tip terminates between a plane defined by the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and a plane defined by the outer surface of the anvil assembly when the end effector is in the clamped position.